Portland Public School Department News

The Portland School Committee voted unanimously to appoint Riverton Elementary School Principal Jill Blackwood as acting assistant superintendent of schools for kindergarten through eighth grade.  The committee promoted Nancy Kopack, Riverton’s assistant principal, to acting principal.

“Jill Blackwood has been an outstanding leader in the Portland Public Schools for many years,” said Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, the acting superintendent.   “I feel fortunate to be able to tap her expertise for the district as a whole.”

Blackwood achieved “master teacher” status in the Cape Elizabeth school district before becoming Riverton’s assistant principal in 1993.  Five years later, she was named principal. 

During Blackwood’s tenure, Riverton evolved from a fairly homogeneous student body to one in which 40 percent of the students come from different cultures and/or speak a language other than English at home.  Blackwood oversaw the introduction of four English as a Second Language classes at Riverton.  She helped create a culture of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers among students and staff.

Blackwood also worked to nurture Riverton’s Parent Teacher Organization and to expand the school’s partnerships with businesses and community groups such as the Center for Grieving Children.  She has served on several district committees, including one that oversaw Riverton’s recent renovation.

Blackwood holds a bachelor’s from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s in education from the University of Southern Maine (USM) and a certificate from the Maine Academy for School Leaders.  She served on the South Portland Board of Education from 1987 to 1990, including a term as chair.

Kopack has worked at Riverton since 1991.  She has taught math, special education and served as an English as a Second Language teacher for grades three through five. 

Since becoming assistant principal in 2005, Kopack has worked to establish a positive building climate through community meetings, her presence in the hall at transition times and helping students when their behavior interferes with their learning.

Kopack earned a bachelor’s degree in exceptional student education and learning disabilities from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s in education from Cambridge College and a certificate of advanced study from USM.

More than 40 percent of the juniors at Casco Bay High School in Portland are taking college courses on topics ranging from oceanography to American Sign Language and business this semester through a new Casco Bay program called U. Start Ahead.

“We are committed to providing early college experiences for all Casco Bay students,” said Principal Derek Pierce.  Students who successfully complete college courses receive both high school and college credit.  Pierce cited research by Dr. Lynne Miller, an education professor at the University of Southern Maine (USM), showing that college freshmen who arrive on campus with three to six credits are more likely to earn their degrees on time.

A college-level “Introduction to Business” course taught by a Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) professor will be offered this fall on the Casco Bay campus.  Tuition is free.

Kevin Kirby, a Casco Bay junior, enrolled in the class.  “At some point in my life, I am going to go into business, so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity,” Kirby said. 

Nearly 20 other Casco Bay students are taking USM classes tuition-free, under an arrangement between the university and the high school.  A similar number of Casco Bay students are expected sign up for USM courses next semester.  The goal is for every Casco Bay student to have the opportunity to earn college credit before graduating.

“I wanted to see what college was like, and I felt ready for the challenge,” said Chaney Burlin, a junior, who signed up for an “Introduction of Sociology” course.  “It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about a field I may want to pursue as a career.”

SMCC’s Office of School-College Partnerships approached Casco Bay High School with the idea of offering a course.  Business was chosen as the subject because it is relevant, matches the school’s expeditionary approach and would likely appeal to students, said Pierce.

Robert Chiozzi, an SMCC adjunct business professor, will travel to Casco Bay High School every Wednesday beginning on Oct. 3 and teach for a 2 ½-hour block.   Topics covered will include understanding the role of business in society, developing a sense of negotiation and recognizing how science, engineering and technology contribute to business success.

The Casco Bay course is part of an SMCC pilot program designed to give more students early college opportunities with the aim of increasing the number who pursue higher education, said Susan Williams, SMCC’s director of School-College Partnerships.  The college also is offering an early childhood education class at Portland Arts and Technology High School as well as courses at two other high schools in the area.

“We are thrilled that so many of our juniors are ready and willing to do college work,” said Pierce, Casco Bay’s principal.  “We expect the early college experiences will both enlighten and empower students in their final years of high school.”

The Portland School Committee has unanimously approved Jeanne Whynot-Vickers’ appointment as interim superintendent, effective immediately.

Whynot-Vickers brings 32 years of experience as a teacher and administrator.  She has worked for the Portland Public Schools for 26 years and has served as assistant superintendent since 1999.

“I am honored to become the leader of our vibrant and educationally innovative learning community,” Whynot-Vickers said.  “I am committed to restoring public confidence in our schools and look forward to having a sound financial basis so that we can again turn our primary focus to our students - assuring that all students are learning for their futures.”

Whynot-Vickers holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in elementary counseling from the University of Southern Maine.   She taught for two years at the American Community School in London before joining the Portland Public Schools in 1977.

Whynot-Vickers taught at Hall, Riverton and Lyseth elementary schools for nine years.  She was a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year in 1986.  She served as assistant principal at the former Jack Elementary School and principal of Sawyer School in South Portland before becoming principal of Portland’s Riverton Elementary School in 1991.

Whynot-Vickers was hired as the district’s assistant superintendent for elementary education in 1999, but her duties broadened last year to include work across all grade levels.

She has served on district committees working on services for at risk students, an evaluation process for teachers and teaching standards for the Portland Public Schools.

Whynot-Vickers and her husband, Trevor, live in Portland.  They have two children who graduated from the Portland Public Schools. 
  
   

The Portland School Committee asked me to assume the interim superintendent position beginning today and ending June 30, 2008.

I am honored to be called to lead such a vibrant and educationally innovative learning community of students, teachers, staff and administrators, and am thrilled to be able to continue to serve Portland in a new capacity.

As the interim superintendent, I will continue to build upon the educational programming that currently creates opportunities for Portland students and adults as they personalize their own learning.

Continuing our commitment to professional learning communities will ensure that our staff will be highly qualified and our students will leave our doors with the knowledge, skills and beliefs that will enable them to realize their potential and successfully meet their future goals.  To do this we must be responsible to our changing community and student needs, and we must meet those changing needs with innovative and effective educational programming.

I also acknowledge the need for strong fiscal management.  I am committed to collaborating transparently with city staff and elected officials as we work through the challenges before us. 

Specifically, I intend to focus on developing a financial recovery plan that compensates for last year’s over expenditures while developing a 2008-2009 budget that is fiscally responsible and meets our students’ educational needs.

The Maine School Consolidation law requires that Portland create an Alternative Plan.  The continuing collaboration on Portland’s Alternative Plan will be an important step as we strategically address our fiscal challenges. 

Finally, I am committed to restoring public confidence in our schools and look forward to having a sound financial basis so that we can again turn our primary focus to our students – assuring that all students are learning for their futures.  

The Portland Public Schools is exploring possible ways to work with nearby school districts in providing such services as special education, bus maintenance and staff development.

A new Maine law requires school districts to either consolidate or create an alternative plan.  The Portland Public Schools is exempt from consolidation because of its large size (7,100 students).

The district has notified the Maine Department of Education that it intends instead to pursue a plan that could lead to some regional services as well as a combining of some city and school district operations.

Portland school administrators are talking with their counterparts in Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth and South Portland about the possibility of jointly providing services for students with anxiety disorder. They also have discussed collaborating on professional development opportunities.

Portland also is looking into the possibility of having the district’s school buses maintained at the South Portland School Department’s garage.  In addition, Portland city and school administrators are exploring ways to work together more efficiently in such areas as facilities and maintenance.

All of those initiatives were outlined in a “notice of intent” sent by the Portland Public Schools to the Maine Department of Education.  Education Commissioner Susan Gendron has informed the district that the notice of intent complies with the new law.

The Portland Public Schools is implementing new guidelines for sports booster clubs to ensure equity between boys’ and girls’ sports.

The guidelines require that booster clubs be organized by sport rather than gender-specific team.  For example, high schools will have one soccer booster club supporting both the boys’ and the girls’ team.

Field hockey, an all-female sport, will be paired with football in a single booster club.  There will be one booster club for the baseball and softball teams.

The guidelines require that booster clubs make expenditures so that all participants receive an equivalent share, regardless of gender.  Booster clubs must provide complete financial information to the school district at the end of each season.

Portland High School and Moore Middle School are participating in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program during the 2007-2008 school year.

Sarah Shmitt, an English teacher at Portland High School, and Shannon Moran, Moore’s French teacher, were among 120 U.S. educators chosen to participate in this year’s program,  sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  Shmitt is teaching in India and Moran is assigned to a school in France.

Sheela Gabriel, from Chennai in southern India, is teaching English at Portland High.  Christine Daventry, a teacher from St. Malo on the Brittany coast, will teach French at Moore.

“We are delighted to welcome Sheela Gabriel to our faculty,” said Portland High Principal Michael Johnson.  “Our students will benefit greatly from her knowledge and perspective.  Sheela reports that she fell in love with Portland High from the moment she walked in.”

“Our school is honored to participate in the Fulbright program,” said Moore Principal Lee Crocker.  “The teacher exchange will enrich our French program and allow students to learn more about French culture.”

Gabriel has taught English for nearly 23 years at the high school level.  She holds a bachelor’s in English literature from Calcutta University and two master’s degrees, one in education and the other in English literature.

Daventry has taught English as a Foreign Language to middle school students for the past 16 years. She also has nine years of experience teaching French to non-native speakers of all ages.  This is her first trip to the United States.

Portland METRO and the Portland Public Schools will provide discounted bus passes to Portland middle school and high school students from September, 2007 through the end of the school year in June, 2008.

All of the district’s secondary students are eligible for a 50% discounted fare on METRO, or a fare of 50 cents.  Students must present a METRO Student Fare card or a 2007/2008 school-issued student identification card to take advantage of the discount. 

METRO Student Fare cards will be available at middle and high schools beginning the first day of school.  They are not transferable from one student to another.  Student ID cards will be available later this fall, after school pictures are taken. 

Elementary school students or parents may request a Student Fare card by calling Denise Beck at the METRO at dbeck@gpmetrobus.com.